EXCLUSIVE [INTERVIEW] "Little by little, I'm learning things that will take me to the next level," Jang Hyeri talks trot music, reveals the artist she wants to collaborate with

Jang Hyeri, who debuted in 2010 and is a former member of K-Pop girl groups Girl’s Day and Bebop, is now in the world of trot music, further showcasing her vocal prowess, which she has been doing for the past five years. She also dabbled in acting, appearing in dramas like ‘Idol in My Living Room’ and ‘Revolutionary Love.’

In May, Hyeri hyped up the crowd at the ‘SBTown Music Fiesta’ — an event to commemorate the 75-years friendship between South Korea and the Philippines — with her captivating solo performances, where she also played the bass guitar.

allkpop sat down with Hyeri before the event to talk about her long-standing career in the industry. Read our exclusive interview with the talented singer below!

Shout-out to allkpop readers:

allkpop: You’ve been in two K-Pop groups then went trot singing. At what point in your career did you realize you think you’re meant to be doing trot singing?

Hyeri: I’ve been a trot singer for five years now. I originally debuted as a girl group member 14 years ago. After that, I was in a band, and then I switched genres because I wanted to do trot singing. Rather than anything else, I just wanted to keep doing music, so I was grateful that I was given another opportunity to stand on stage.

allkpop: What steps have you taken to improve your vocals as trot singing emphasizes more on someone’s ability to sing, like high notes? 

Hyeri: I’ve actually done all genres! Originally, I did dance and idol singing, and then I sang a lot of drama OSTs and stuff like that, so I did the ballad genre. Then I was in a band, so I was able to do some rock ones. When I first started trot, I thought that since I had tried all genres, I would be able to sing trot easily, but when I started singing trot, it was so different from the songs I had done so far. So, I put a lot of effort into changing my singing style and practiced again like I did when I first became a singer and trainee. I learned vocal techniques suitable for trot. Trot actually has a lot of twists and turns. It’s actually no different from R&B. It’s not that much of a difference, just a slight change in singing style and a change in the position of the sound. At the press conference, I heard things like, “What is different about trot and how can I easily get into it?” I think it would be better if you don’t think about it too hard and just look at it as one genre among other genres of music.

allkpop: You recently performed at the ‘SBTown Music Fiesta.’ I wanted to ask if you have any rituals or routines you do before taking the stage?

Hyeri: I don’t do anything. (laughs) I just eat well, sleep well, and think it’s best to be and perform in the best condition, so I’m just constantly excited. I’ve been to a lot of shows overseas and performed many times in Korea, but this is my first show in a venue with a lot of people from another country. Every time I get a chance to perform, it just makes me very excited and want to perform soon.

allkpop: You’ve appeared in numerous TV shows like “I Can See Your Voice,” “National Trot Festival,” and “King of Singers.” What have you learned from participating in those shows?

Hyeri: Rather than saying I learned it because of the program, I think I gained experience every time I perform. I learn little by little. For example, in today’s performance, I was a bit upset about something, so I didn’t intervene in that and since I did this much today, let’s make up for it and improve this part and do well tomorrow. Little by little, I think I’m learning things that will take me to the next level.

allkpop: You also did a little bit of acting. Do you have plans to act again, or do you want to focus on your career as a trot singer at the moment?

Hyeri: I’m not a singer who wants to stay in just one genre of trot, because my goal is to be an all-around entertainer. It’s my goal and my dream [to try various fields]. So, I’ll stay as a trot singer, but I will be going back and forth between genres, and if I get the chance, I’ll do acting again. Also, I’ve been MCing for a long time, so I want to be an entertainer who can work in various fields. I didn’t bring all of my performance list for ‘SBTown Music Fiesta’ this time. And because it was my first performance in Manila, I had the first goal to make people know me, Jang Hyeri, so I prepared pop songs, Filipino songs, and various other things to make it easier for people to get to know me.

allkpop: Which K-Pop artists or singers in general would you love to do a duet with?

Hyeri: This is a question I was asked a lot in Korea. When I first started, there were things like wanting to do a duet with seniors, but I just wanted to do a duet with a certain singer… Since I’m currently working as a solo artist, I have that kind of nostalgia for when I was in a group, like when splitting up the parts and singing them. So, I think it would be really fun just to collaborate on a stage with any singer, and if I get the chance, I would like to try it with Byun Jin Seop, who is truly a legend. I would also like to do a duet with Filipino singers. I have very big dreams!

allkpop: Aside from what you’re doing now, are there any activities, fields, or industries that you’d like to try your hands at?

Hyeri: First, since I am a singer now, I should first let people know about singer Jang Hyeri through music. And then, rather than being greedy for this or that right now, I want first to let people know my voice through singing and that I am a singer.

allkpop: If there is anything you would like to be remembered for, what would it be?

Hyeri: My biggest purpose for coming this time was to prepare myself to be memorable as a Korean singer who sings songs with a bass, so I hope to have at least one fan. I hope people will like my performance as a singer who also plays the bass. I hope it leaves an imprint like that on them.

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